Granny says, "Dat's right - dem Cats in Catalonia want dey's independence...What happened with Catalonia’s vote for independence — and what’s nextOctober 4, 2017 - Leaders in Catalonia say voters in the northeast region of Spain overwhelmingly cast ballots for independence from Spain in a Sunday referendum. But the country’s central government won’t recognize the vote, calling it illegal.

Since then, protesters have swarmed the streets and unions have gone on strike, grinding public transportation to a halt. Crowds chanted “occupiers leave” and “the streets will always be ours.” Now, the president of the region, which includes Barcelona, says he will declare independence from Spain, anyway. As protests over the vote continue, here’s a look at what’s happening and what’s next.

What is Catalonia?

Catalonia is an autonomous region in northeastern Spain known for its beach resorts. It’s also the birthplace of Salvador Dali. The prosperous community, with a population of about 7.5 million, has its own language and culture. Barcelona is its capital. Catalonia has its own parliament and police force, but national bodies oversee areas of security such as ports, airports, custom offices and immigration control. The judicial system also is administered nationally.

Why is the region seeking independence?

Catalonia has long sought independence, but the most recent push began in 2010, when a constitutional court overturned an agreement giving it more autonomy, part of an effort by the central government to tighten its fiscal belt during the global economic downturn, Duke University associate professor of political science Pablo Beramendi said in an interview with the Council on Foreign Relations’ Zachary Laub. “Spain was in the midst of a major economic crisis and Madrid was forcing the Catalan government to implement draconian caps on education and health, especially after the conservative victory in November 2011, while accusing them of mismanagement,” Beramendi said.

What happened in Sunday’s vote?

While Catalonia had scheduled an independence referendum Sunday, it was not considered a legal vote by the central Spanish government. Police were dispatched in an effort to shut it down. They arrested Catalan officials involved in organizing the referendum, confiscated ballots, and reportedly used rubber bullets on voters and roughly pulled others from polling sites. “If people insist in disregarding the law and doing something that has been consistently declared illegal and unconstitutional, law enforcement officers need to uphold the law,” Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis told the Associated Press. Sunday’s referendum to become a sovereign state was Catalonia’s second in three years. In the last referendum in November 2014, 80 percent voted to secede. Last weekend, officials say 90 percent voted to leave Spain, though those results could not be independently verified.

Although most Catalans reportedly wanted a vote to be held, they are divided on whether to leave Spain. The large pro-independence vote could actually be a sign that many didn’t want to vote in a referendum that the Spanish government deemed illegal, said Sebastian. About 2.26 million of Catalonia’s 5.34 million voters (42.3 percent) voted Sunday, according to Reuters. “We need to take the results with a pinch of salt,” because the conditions for a fair referendum were not there, Sebastian said.

Granny says dey gonna end up with a revolution on dey's hands...Spain Takes Control of Catalonia, Pushing a Crisis Into Higher GearOctober 21, 2017 - Carles Puigdemont woke up this Saturday morning as president of Catalonia, but by lunchtime, he was out of a job. For the first time in its nearly 40 years of democracy, Spain has acted upon Article 155, the provision in its constitution that permits it to revoke powers from autonomous regions during times of crisis. And as Puigdemont knows better than anyone, Catalonia is nothing if not a crisis.

Three weeks after a referendum on secession that was banned by the Spanish constitution, but nonetheless brought more than 2 million to the polls to vote, Catalonia’s — and Spain’s — moment of truth has arrived. Although those who turned out to cast ballots (only 43% of eligible voters) resoundingly supported independence, Catalans today saw their self-determination dramatically diminished, rather than increased. Once the measures that Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy proposed this morning are approved by the senate, the region will be under direct Spanish rule. Not that Rajoy put it like that exactly. “We are not suspending the autonomy or the self-government of Catalonia,” he said at a press conference after a cabinet meeting in which the measures were hammered out. “Rather, we are asking the Senate for the cessation [in power] of those persons who have put [Catalonia] outside the law.”

Those persons include Puigdemont, the vice president and the rest of his cabinet. In their places, Spanish ministries will assume their responsibilities until elections can be held sometime in the next six months — which, to many Catalans, sounds exactly like the suspension of their autonomy. “They’re doing away with the government, they’re rescinding nearly all of its powers. That’s a textbook suspension of autonomy,” says Ferran Requejo, professor of political science at Barcelona’s Pompeu Fabra University. “It’s a coup d’etat from within.”

Supporters of the prime minister’s decision, however, point out that Mr. Puigdemont refused requests that he repeal the independence bid, which is clearly illegal under the Spanish constitution, and that now he is facing the consequences of that refusal. “In the past, whenever there were conflicts with the state over autonomy, Catalonia at least maintained what it had; it might gain more but it didn’t lose anything,” says José Ignacio Torreblanca, opinion editor of the newspaper El País. “That’s not necessarily the case anymore.”

Although the Spanish Senate must first approve the measures Rajoy proposed, two other parties, including the main opposition party, have expressed their support for the prime minister’s use of Article 155, and no obstruction is expected when the upper house convenes on Friday. Yet even with that resounding determination, the game of cat and mouse that has occupied the Spanish and Catalan governments is hardly over. On Thursday, Puigdemont suggested in a letter to the prime minister that although the Catalan parliament had not declared independence yet, it may well do so were Article 155 invoked. As of this writing, he has not divulged what his next move will be, but the Spanish attorney general confirmed this morning that should Puigdemont go ahead with the declaration, he would be charged with rebellion — a graver crime than sedition and one punishable by 30 years in prison.

Whatever happens next, Catalonia’s options are diminishing. Previously, some factions within the Catalan government were floating the idea that Puigdemont might call elections on his own, or form a new “concentrated” government that could project an image of unity as it amplifies its requests for dialogue. But if he is stripped of office, he will not be able to do either of those things. The only thing that is for certain at this point is that Puigdemont and his cabinet will attend a rally Saturday afternoon to protest the imprisonment earlier this week of two leaders of the independence movement for sedition. If the caceroladas — the spontaneous banging of pots in protest — that broke out immediately following Rajoy’s speech are any indication, they will have plenty of support.

Spain Catalonia: Foreign minister denies 'coup' by MadridSun, 22 Oct 2017 - The foreign minister tells the BBC the government is only acting in line with the constitution.

The Catalan government, led by President Carles Puigdemont, points to the majority Yes vote in a referendum on independence it held on 1 October despite a ban by Spain's Constitutional Court. Of the 43% of Catalans said to have taken part, 90% voted in favour of independence, it said. Unionist parties who won about 40% of the vote at the 2015 Catalan elections boycotted the ballot and many anti-independence supporters stayed away, arguing it was not valid.

What is the Spanish government's position?

On Saturday, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced plans to sack Catalonia's regional government and curtail some of the freedoms of its parliament. Reports suggest the central authorities will also seek to take control of Catalonia's local police force and its public broadcaster, TV3. "If there is a coup d'état, this is one followed by Mr Puigdemont and his government," Mr Dastis told The Andrew Marr Show. "What we are doing is following strictly the provision of our constitution," he said, describing it as a "carbon copy of the German constitution". "If you look at the rest of democracies and certainly partners in the European Union, they wouldn't accept a decision as such to be taken by a part of the country." He also argued that "many" images of police violence against protesters on referendum day were fake.

Anxious independence supporters listened to Carles Puigdemont's speech on their smartphones in Barcelona​

The government itself apologised to injured demonstrators days after the vote, as a result of which 1,066 people required medical attention, according to the Catalan health department. The ferocity of the police response was reported at the time by the BBC's Tom Burridge.

What exactly is a 'coup d'état'?

The French term literally means a "blow against the state" and refers to the sudden, usually violent, overthrow of a country's government. Catalan nationalists regard their region as a nation and state in its own right, a definition Spain does not accept. Spain last saw a coup attempt on 23 February 1981 when soldiers and police stormed parliament, firing guns and shouting orders. The rebellion was suppressed but came as a startling reminder of the country's recent military dictatorship (1939-75) under Gen Francisco Franco. President Puigdemont has described the move to impose direct rule as the worst attack on Catalonia's institutions since Franco, when the region lost its autonomy.

What do the Spanish media say?

"Return to the past" is how Catalonia's Catalan-language, pro-independence El Punt Avui sums up Saturday's developments on its front page. In an opinion piece, Xevi Xirgo argues that Madrid is mounting a "coup d'état" to submit Catalonia to central rule in a way not seen since the 18th Century. In an editorial in El Periódico, Spain's fifth-biggest newspaper which publishes both in Spanish and Catalan, Enric Hernàndez argues that Madrid responded in kind to "the aggression of the independence camp", which ignored Spanish law to hold a "sham referendum".

Hernàndez calls on Mr Puigdemont to agree to Mr Rajoy's call for early regional elections as the best way out of the crisis or else face a "social revolt with unforeseeable consequences". Meanwhile El País, Spain's biggest paper, a left-of-centre daily, endorses the government in an editorial entitled "The democratic state responds" and declares that Mr Rajoy is acting to "restore constitutional legality in Catalonia". "Democracy not only has the right to defend itself but a duty to do so," it says.

Spanish takeover goes without resistance...Spain met with little resistance, takes control of Catalonia30 Oct.`17 - As Spain took control of the Catalan government on Monday, it was met with little resistance from ousted officials.

Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s strategy against Catalan rebels bore results as his officials took over the once autonomous regional government, including the police, without any significant protest. Rajoy, who responded to a declaration of independence by taking over the regional government maintained the upper hand and proved successful in imposing direct rule in Catalonia. A day after hundreds of thousands of Catalans flooded the center of Barcelona to protest against independence, on Monday, most public sector workers such as teachers, firefighters and the police started worked as normal. Despite calls for disobedience, there was no sign of widespread absenteeism. As normality returned to Catalonia, markets jumped too. Spanish stocks and bonds rose on signs that normality is returning to the country’s biggest regional economy.

​

Meanwhile, on Monday, Spain’s state prosecutor, Attorney-General Jose Manuel Maza, was seeking charges of rebellion and sedition, as well as fraud and misuse of funds, to be brought against ousted president Carles Puigdemont, who reportedly left for Brussels. According to a report in La Sexta television, Puigdemont is planning to ask for asylum in Belgium and his party did not confirm his whereabouts. If convicted of rebellion, Puigdemont could serve up to 30 years in jail. He is also facing charges of sedition and misuse of funds. However, Monday’s step is just the start and the justice system moves slowly. Lluis Orriols, a political scientist at Carlos III University in Madrid said, “It looks like Rajoy has played the short-term game here in a very clever way. Taking control of the government and calling elections for December makes it very hard for the independence movement to respond.”

The story so far

Since Puigdemont's separatist government organized the October 1 referendum that Madrid declared illegal and unconstitutional, Spain has been gripped by a constitutional crisis in defiance of a ruling by the Constitutional Court. According to the Catalan government, of the 43 percent of potential voters who participated, 90 percent were in favour of independence. Puigdemont missed his first opportunity to declare a republic in the aftermath of the illegal referendum and stepped back from the brink, calling for dialogue with Madrid. His move prompted outrage among his hardline supporters without winning any concessions from the central government. On Friday, Puigdemont passed responsibility to the parliament, which declared a republic after unionist lawmakers walked out. After the regional parliament declared independence, Madrid responding by declaring the move illegal. Soon after, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced the dissolution of the regional parliament and the removal of Puigdemont as Catalan leader.

Rajoy called for a regional election scheduled to be held on December 21 and so far, the two main separatist parties, who formed a joint pro-independence platform in 2015, have said they plan to run in the election. Puigdemont meanwhile has urged "democratic opposition" to direct rule from Madrid, which has said it would welcome his participation in the election. La Vanguardia reported that Puigdemont is set to make a public statement from Brussels later in the day. According to a latest Sigma Dos poll for El Mundo, support for independence may be declining. The poll showed that while 76 percent of Catalans said they want an official referendum, just 34 percent said they were in favor of breaking away from Spain. The survey was conducted between October 23 and October 26 - before the regional parliament declared independence last Friday. Meanwhile, a Metroscopia poll published by El Pais put that number at 29 percent. This compared to 41.1 percent in July, according to an official survey carried out by the Catalan government.

~sigh~ I must admit I have a bit of a moral conundrum regarding the right to break away from a mother country; I always have questioned the civil war and others, I did in the Ukraine situation, I do here as well... On the one hand I feel for those who wish to break away (succeed as it were,) but on the other, I'm a bit of a nationalist who values "unity" as well. :/

Catalonian leader surrenders to Belgium authorities...After Puigdemont fails to answer summons, Spain plans retortFriday 3rd November, 2017 |Catalonian leader surrenders to Belgium authorities.. As ousted Catalan President Carles Puigdemont failed to comply with a summons ordering him to appear for questioning in Spain’s National Court on Thursday - the country planned its next move.

On Thursday, a Spanish prosecutor asked a judge in Madrid to issue an international arrest warrant for Puigdemont, who flew to Brussels earlier this week. A day after the Spanish government removed Catalonia's separatist leader and his 13-member Cabinet from office, imposing direct rule in the region, Puigdemont left to Belgium. Puigdemont has clarified in press statements from Brussels that he won't be returning to Spain, as there is a "good chance that he would be detained.” However, his Belgian lawyer, Paul Bekaert said on Thursday that Puigdemont will not be seeking asylum in Belgium and intends to cooperate with Belgian police and judicial authorities, if necessary. Bekaert said that the idea of asking for asylum in Belgium “is now off the table.” Adding that he was not aware of a European arrest warrant having been issued for his client, but said Puigdemont would turn himself in to Belgian authorities if one is.

He added, “We will put in place everything we can in order to collaborate with the Belgian police.” Puigdemont and four of his former ministers, along with nine other ex-members of the regional government are being investigated on potential charges of rebelling, sedition and embezzlement over efforts to break the region away from Spain. On Thursday, a Spanish judge ordered nine ex-members of the Catalan regional government jailed while they are investigated on possible charges of sedition, rebellion and embezzlement. The ruling was issued by investigative magistrate Carmen Lamela at the request of prosecutors who are pursuing a criminal case stemming from the declaration of secession the Parliament of Catalonia made Friday. The judge reportedly set bail for one of the nine former members of the Catalan Cabinet, saying he would be freed if he pays bail of 50,000 euros.

Defense lawyer Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas, who is representing former regional Vice President Oriol Junqueras and four other ousted members of the Catalan Cabinet said the Spanish National Court judge’s decision on Thursday “lacked justification” and was “disproportionate.” Van den Andreu, the lawyer defending other ex-members, said whether his clients were jailed “was already predetermined” before they appeared in court for questioning. Both lawyers have stated that they would appeal the judge’s order. Even as the court heard the case, thousands of people held a rally outside the Catalan presidential palace in Barcelona in a show of support for ousted Catalan officials who appeared in court in Madrid. The crowd carrying Catalan flags chanted slogans in favour of independence.

According to officials, the crimes being probed are punishable with up to 30 years in prison under Spanish law. Meanwhile, a Spanish prosecutor made the petition to investigative magistrate Carmen Lamela on Thursday after ex-Catalan president Carles Puigdemont failed to appear in the Madrid court. The legal battle has magnified her the last few days after the Spanish government invoked constitutional authority to take over running Catalonia following the region’s declaration of independence. A new regional election has been set for December 21 as Madrid has dismissed the Catalan Cabinet and dissolved the regional parliament. According to experts, if Spain's high court judge issues a warrant, a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) will be sent to Belgian prosecutors.

Belgian prosecutors will then have 24 hours to decide whether the paperwork is correct and that the extradition sought would not violate the suspect's human rights. Following this, the prosecutors will have 15 days to arrest Puigdemont and the four others. If one or all of them appeal against it, that process could last another 15 days. Belgium would then have a maximum of 60 days to return the suspects to Spain after the arrest. However, if the suspects do not raise legal objections, a transfer could take place within few days.

Brussels to ‘study’ arrest warrant for PuigdemontSun, Nov 05, 2017 - Brussels will “study” an EU arrest warrant issued by Spain for Catalonia’s deposed leader, who is currently in Belgium, a spokesman for the country’s state prosecutor told reporters. “We’re going to study it and then give it to a judge,” Eric Van der Sijpt said.

A Spanish judge on Friday issued a warrant for ousted Generalitat of Catalonia president Carles Puigdemont after he failed to attend a court summons over his role in the push for independence. Some ministers in Puigdemont’s former Cabinet are also in Belgium and subject to the warrant. Puigdemont and his ministers must now appear in front of a Belgian judge within 24 hours, where they are to be read the charges against them.

The ousted regional leader, who has said Catalonia has earned the right to declare independence from Spain following a disputed referendum last month, on Friday said that he is willing to cooperate with Belgian authorities. However, he said he was not convinced by guarantees of a fair trial back home, decrying the “enormous pressure and political influence on judicial power in Spain.”

Puigdemont has said that he would be willing to run as a candidate in Catalonia’s Dec. 21 snap election, which was organized after Madrid fired the region’s government after they voted to declare independence. “I was elected. What is the purpose of [new] elections?” he asked, accusing Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of “illegally” dissolving the Catalan parliament. “In order to resolve political problems you need to play politics. You don’t imprison those who think differently to you,” Puigdemont said.

He is wanted by Madrid for actions related to his push for the region’s secession from Spain. Puigdemont’s move comes as two polls suggested pro-Catalonia independence parties will together take the most seats in December’s regional election although they may fall just short of a majority needed to revive the secession campaign. Parties supporting Catalonia remaining part of Spain would divide seats but garner around 54 percent of the vote, the polls suggested.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called the Dec. 21 election after firing the previous government and imposing direct rule over the autonomous region following a unilateral declaration of independence by Catalan lawmakers on Oct. 27. According to a GAD3 survey of 1,233 people conducted between Oct. 30 and Nov. 3 and published in La Vanguardia newspaper, pro-independence parties ERC, PDECat and CUP would take between 66 and 69 seats in the 135-seat parliament.

A second poll taken over the same period for the conservative newspaper La Razon echoed the GAD3 survey, showing pro-independence parties would capture the most votes though still fall just shy of a parliamentary majority with 65 seats. Other seats would be generally divided between parties supporting the region continuing to be part of Spain, but they parties are not allied.

Voter participation, however, will rise to a record of 83 percent, the GAD3 poll showed. Catalonia’s statehood push has tipped Spain into its worst political crisis since its return to democracy four decades ago as surging pro-secession sentiment in the region has in turn kindled nationalism across the country.

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